Chapter 2: Unwanted Reminders

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Letters Episode 2: “Unwanted Reminders”

(Narration)
"You ever get that feeling that life just loves screwing with you? Like, you just want to go home, eat a terrible dinner, and pass out, but no—life’s like, ‘Hold on, I got one more punch to throw.’ Well, that’s been my entire existence."

(Rukasu stares at the mess of scattered letters outside his apartment.)

Rukasu: grumbling Fantastic. Just what I needed after a long day of suffering.

(He sighs, kneeling down to pick up the envelopes. Most of it’s junk—ads, bills, more bills—but then, one letter catches his eye. It doesn’t have a return address. Just his name, written in neat handwriting.)

Rukasu: squints Great. A mystery envelope. Maybe it’s a bomb. That’d really top off my day.

(He shoves the rest of the mail under his arm and opens the door to his apartment. The second he steps inside, he tosses everything onto the table and stares at the letter.)

(He hesitates.)

*(Something about it feels... off. Like it’s waiting for him. Like it knows something he doesn’t. He shakes off the thought and rips it open.)

*(Inside, a single piece of paper.)

"It’s been a long time, Rukasu. I wonder if you still remember me. I never forgot you. – Ayane."

(His fingers tighten around the paper.)

Rukasu: whispering No way...

(His stomach knots. He hasn’t heard that name in years. He didn’t think he ever would again.)

(A knock at the door startles him.)

Kyohi: cheerfully Hey, Rukasu! You home?

Rukasu: mutters If I stay quiet, maybe she’ll think I died.

Kyohi: laughs I can hear you, you know!

(Rukasu groans, stuffing the letter into his pocket before opening the door just enough to glare at her.)